Investigating local governments - Governor DeSantis will begin soon

By Tami Stevenson

The House and Senate passed the budget, SB 2502, the General Appropriations Act, Monday, June 16, with 24 yeas and 8 nays from the Senate and 87 yeas and 18 nays from the House.

     With the exception of Governor DeSantis vetoing some of the line items of the 103 page document before he signs the bill, it will take effect July 1, 2025.

     There was an amendment added to the bill by the Conference Committee late last week that gives Governor DeSantis the power to hold local governments accountable through the Office of Policy and Budget (OPB) within the Executive Office.

     It gives them the power to conduct a review of the functions, procedures, and policies currently in effect for any local governmental entity.

     It goes on to say they will conduct a review to identify any use of resources that support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives inconsistent with law, evidence of overspending, waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of resources and redundant government functions.

     During the investigation, the OPB may review, “personnel costs, administrative overhead costs, contracts and subcontracts, programs, grants and subgrants, any outsourcing with a nongovernment organization, and any other expenditures, along with other guidelines.

      It states, “Nothing in this section shall be construed to require access to records that are confidential under federal or state laws.”

     The local government must provide access to its employees who are familiar with the subject matter. Subject to security considerations, OPB representatives must also be allowed on the physical premises.

     Local governments that do not comply will be subject to a fine of $1,000 per day. The fines will be enforced against the local government and not its employees.

     The investigations will pertain to local fiscal years ending on September 30, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

     The OPB will compile and submit an initial report to the Governor, the Chief Financial Officer, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 13, 2026.